This WordPress tutorial explains how to create a WordPress website starting from scratch.
Here’s the problem: You want to create a WordPress website for your business, blog, portfolio, store or forum, but you don’t feel comfortable with programming, databases or using software.
It’s easy to set up WordPress websites (even though it isn’t as simple as creating a social media account). Although there are some lessons to learn, it is easy to manage your website. (See this guide for more information). Unlike website builders you control your site. It can grow as your site grows . In just 4 easy steps, you can set up WordPress.
- Register a Website Domain Name. You will need to provide something that people can type into their web browsers to reach your website.
- Get web hosting – Your new website will need somewhere to live.
- Install WordPress Your website requires software that better manages your website. WordPress is the best and most popular option. In just one click, you can set up WordPress.
- Next steps WordPress is a great tool for creating professional websites. It can also be customized to your specifications. This guide will show you exactly where to find all the information and steps to set up a WordPress website.
A domain is simply what people enter into their browsers to access your website. A hosting account simply means a computer server on which your website files are stored.
How to set up and buy both.
1. Register a Domain Name
Not If you already have a domain name you can skip to Get Website Hosting.
If you are looking to save money on your long-term costs and make it easier for yourself in future, I recommend buying your domain separate from your hosting company.
Domain registration and hosting are two distinct activities. Usually, companies do only one thing well (and at an affordable price). You can get better pricing and management if you buy separately.
Hosting companies often offer 1 year domain registration free of charge. If you want to save money and are not planning on moving your website around, it is a good idea to do everything in one location. This option will also be covered in the guide.
Here are the places I recommend you purchase your domain name:
Namecheap Review
You Want a Simpler, Freer Option?
Skip to the next step Many companies offer a hosting package that includes a free domain for one year.
Navigate to your domain registrar or recommended host. Search for the name that interests you, then proceed with the checkout. No upsells are required. Your hosting provider can provide everything you need.
Once we have your domain name, it is time to set up a hosting server that will “point” it.
You don’t have to transfer the domain to your hosting company. It’s easy to “point it”
2. Get web hosting
It is crucial to choose a reliable web hosting company for your website.
There are many web hosting companies. Which one is the best?
These are my top recommendations for anyone just starting out.
Sezmi’s Take
Bluehost is the best choice for anyone just starting out in web hosting. Bluehost gives you a domain name free of charge for the first year. They also offer a quick WordPress installation. In no time, you’ll have your blog up and running.
Bluehost Review
9.5 Out Of 10
Price | $2.95 – $13.95 per month |
Annual Discount | Yes |
Promotion | Starting At $2.95/mo |
Find out More
Bluehost is a hosting provider that has hosted over 2 million websites since 2003. WordPress.org recommends Bluehost.
Bluehost has also been a partner of mine to make it easier for you to start a blog. Click my link to get my free bonus.
Bluehost provides these features:
- FREE Domain
- FREE HTTP SSL Certificate (also known as https ://)
- 24/7 Support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Get my Bluehost FREE Bonuses
Bluehost Plans
Plan | Basic | Plus | Choice Plus | Pro |
*Prime Price | $2.95/mo. | $5.45/mo. | $5.45/mo. | $18.95/mo. |
Renewal price | $9.99/mo. | $13.99/mo. | $18.99/mo. | $26.99/mo. |
Websites | 1 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Storage | 50 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Bandwidth/month | Unmetered | Unmetered | Unmetered | Unmetered |
No cost domain name | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year |
SSL Free | ||||
CDN | ||||
IP dedicated | ||||
Daily Backups |
* Prices per month for 12-month subscription
Step 1. Choose the hosting plan that best suits your needs.
Most hosting plans have three tiers. Low tiers usually have a cap, while high tiers offer some type of bonus. Value for you is more important than total value. You won’t likely need much storage if you don’t have a travel or photo blog.
Similar plans for multiple sites. Hosting multiple websites in one account is an excellent value, but there’s no need to over-purchase. My Web Hosting Explained post will provide more information. Below is an explanation of how InMotion’s plans work. They are all great, but you only need to use what they have.
Remember, WordPress can only run on shared Linux hosting. It doesn’t mean that you need WordPress Hosting – some companies only have one product, shared web hosting. They refer to it differently depending upon the page’s focus.
No matter what your goals or available resources are, I recommend that you get started. It’s difficult to know what you really need until you have done it yourself.
All hosting providers offer a 30-day money-back guarantee (Bluehost’s is for 30 days) and it is easy to upgrade or drop your account.
Step 2.
Bluehost is a popular choice for hosting. They also have a wide range of pricing options and a recent redesign of the setup wizard. This makes WordPress setup much easier than ever.
They assume that you will be using WordPress unless and until you decline.
Bluehost uses industry-standard cPanel to manage hosting accounts and will automatically install WordPress.
Bluehost’s current discount can be found here.
Next, you will need to search for a domain or use an existing domain. Or, create a temporary address and register a new domain later.
You can choose the one that is most convenient for you. Bluehost offers a free domain for one year prior to purchasing a retail renewal. If you don’t have the domain, enter it into the box.
Next, create your Bluehost billing address. Your Google account can be used for convenience. It can be a headache if you need to change your Google information or hire a friend. I suggest creating a new account.
Next, choose the length of your package. Your monthly pricing will be more competitive the longer you commit.
Bluehost, InMotion and SiteGround don’t offer a lot of upsells. They do offer a few. Although the deals are generally good, they are not necessary. You can find better deals or get the same deal later on. I would recommend that you uncheck all of them.
You’ll then need to enter your credit card information and agree with the purchase terms.
Success! You can now create your Bluehost web hosting account.
Step 3. Access your account & technical details.
Bluehost hosting accounts will differ from your billing accounts. You will need to create a password for your primary domain name. It should be strong. This password will be used if a hacker attempts to gain access to your password.
To log in, you will need your username and password.
Okay, now you need some background.
Bluehost assumes that you will use WordPress. To save time, you can customize an automatic WordPress installation. This screen serves that purpose. It is completely optional.
You can also add functionality to WordPress using ” WordPress plugins” or create layouts with a WordPress template. Bluehost uses your answers in order to install popular themes and plugins.
It’s easier than 3rd-party software and offers more options to add a WordPress theme or plugin after you have set up your website.
You can fill out the questionnaire or skip it for now. No matter which route you choose, mistakes can be easily corrected later.
You’ll be redirected to your Bluehost hosting dashboard after you complete this screen. If you purchased your domain from them, you can jump to Install and Configure WordPress.
If your domain was purchased from a third party, we will move on to Step 4 to link your domain to your website.
Step 4.
Before you do anything, make sure to visit the Domains section on your Dashboard.
Next, click Manage -> DNS. Bluehost does not require you to transfer your domain registration. You don’t have to transfer your domain registration to Bluehost.
Next, copy Bluehost’s name servers. Next, copy the name servers of Bluehost to ns1.bluehost.com or ns2.bluehost.com. Then, take them to your registrar.
Paste the name servers at your registrar into the DNS nameserver field and save. This is Namecheap.
Here’s how it looks at GoDaddy.
Your DNS records may take some time to propagate across the Internet. Once they are “propagated” across the Internet, anyone who types in your domain name will be routed to your hosting account.
3. Install WordPress
This is the easy part. For a new blogger, it can be difficult to install WordPress and configure the appropriate theme and plugins.
All of this is done automatically if you buy through my link. You will be ready to rock and roll. My course teaches you how to use WordPress.
This is a free download, but you must use my link to get it.